28/04/2026
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NHS Borders is launching a new Walk In Clinic at Hawick Community Hospital to give local patients additional access options to same day assessment for new and urgent health concerns.
Opening on Tuesday 28 April, the clinic is the first phase of a pilot service being introduced as part of a Scottish Government funded programme to improve access to primary care.
The Walk In Clinic adds to existing GP and community health services and is designed to help patients with new, short term health problems that need timely assessment but are not emergencies. Patients can continue to contact and be supported by their own GP practice in the usual way.
During this initial pilot phase, opening days and times may be subject to change at short notice. This is to ensure the service is safe, effective and sustainable for both patients and staff. Any changes will be communicated on our page and website.
Clear information is set out below on who can use the clinic, when it is open, and the type of care it can provide.
🔹Who can use the service?
Only patients registered with Teviot and Mairches (O’Connell Street) Practices in Hawick and Selkirk Medical Practice can access the Walk-In Clinic during phase 1.
Please note that the service is not available to people who are pregnant or aged under 2. They should continue to consult their usual GP or other health professional.
🔹When is the walk-in clinic open?
The first day of the new service is Tuesday 28 April 2026.
Opening times are Tuesday – Friday from 2pm – 6pm.
Appointments
Appointments cannot be pre-booked so please do not phone the Community Hospital. You must attend the clinic in person to be allocated an appointment and spaces are limited. Depending on your needs you will be seen by either a GP, advanced nurse practitioner or a nurse.
🔹What will be treated at the clinic?
You can use the service for new conditions that have started within the past two weeks, for example:
• Pain or fever
• Throat, ear or chest infections
• Bladder or urine problems
• Skin conditions (e.g. infections and rashes)
• Stomach or bowel problems
• Muscle, joint or back pain
• Headaches or dizziness
• Changes or flare-ups in existing health conditions (e.g. asthma attack)
The service is not for:
• Medical emergencies (e.g. chest pain, severe bleeding or severe breathing difficulties – call 999)
• Minor injuries (e.g. sprains, possible broken bones, minor burns – call 111)
• Long-term or pre-diagnosed conditions
• Repeat prescriptions or medicines reviews
• Blood tests
• Routine sexual health checks
• Sick notes (fit notes)
• Vaccinations
If you attend with a condition that is not urgent or is better treated elsewhere, staff will redirect you to the most appropriate service.
We know that people want prompt access to advice and treatment when a new health problem arises and this walk in clinic gives us the opportunity to test a new way of providing that access locally, while making sure the right patients are seen by the right clinician at the right time. By starting with a carefully managed pilot, we can learn what works best and build a service that is safe, effective and sustainable for the future.
The new service will be kept under regular review as part of the pilot and will use feedback from patients and staff to inform next steps.
